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In 1841, when Sir J.J. Gordon Bremer planted the first British flag in Hong Kong soil, it was indeed not much more than a barren rock with hardly a dwelling upon it. That was disgusted reaction of the Queen’s Foreign Secretary upon hearing of the newest acquisition. Of course, Hong Kong has since become a financial mecca, the largest container port in the world, and among other things, a very popular holiday destination. Hong Kong is today, and always has been, ruled by change. It’s the only constant that this territory knows. In July, 1997, it has ceased to be a British Crown Colony, and reverted back to Chinese Rule. Meanwhile, new hotels, tunnels, shops and restaurants appear on the scene daily, constantly regenerating the variety that Hong Kong is famous for.

And now for a bit of geography: Hong Kong is a pin point on the south coast of China. It has a total land area of 1,070 square kilometers (413 square miles), and is comprised of 236 islands, the Kowloon peninsula and a small fragment of the mainland reffered to as the New Territories. Seventy percent of Hong Kong is rural, consisting of farmland, hills (or mountains, depending on where you’re from), beaches, and 21 country parks. The name Hong Kong means Fragrant Harbour, which could derive from the incense factories that once clustered on the shores of Hong Kong Island. Or perhaps the name comes from the scent of the opiumladen ships of old, without which there would never even have been a Hong Kong.

Getting about is a cinch. The biggest difficulty you will come up against is choosing between a mini bus, double decker bus, maxi cab, MTR (Mass Transit Railway), taxi, ferry….you get the picture. Not only is transportation easy, it’s cheap, and that somehow adds to the fun.

These days, the fragrant harbour reflects the lights and images of some of the most impressive examples of modern architecture in the world. Sophisticated Western influences abound, but don’t be fooled for an instant. Just below the surface, and sometimes well above, lurk ancient Chinese traditions, and a culture which is almost the polar opposite of things Western. Discovering the culture is one of the biggest rewards of a visit to Hong Kong.

Well, now that you have an idea of how the place is laid out, and the knowledge that Hong Kong is comfortably compact so that you can explore every square kilometer with ease, you’re ready for some of the details, which are divided into sections at your left. Bear in mind that this is not meant to be a guide book as there are plenty to be find on the net. It is just a glimpse to whet your appetite and get your dreams in gear, for one of the most exiting and multifaceted vacations you may ever embark on. To jump to any other Windows to the World destination, use the navigation bar below. Ever tought of sending an e-card? Windows to the World is the place to be, with tons of postcards for any occasion.